Over the weekend, a slow-moving storm pulled massive amounts of moisture inland from the Gulf of Mexico, dumping nearly two feet of water on Louisiana and neighboring states. Governor John Bel Edwards said that at least eight people have lost their lives in the disaster, now affecting 40,000 homes. National Guard troops, emergency rescue teams and local volunteers have been working to rescue as many as 20,000 people trapped by the rising waters. The flooding has begun to recede in many places today, allowing some homeowners to return and assess the damage.
Historic Louisiana Flooding Affects Tens of Thousands
Hints:
View this page full screen.
Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.
-
![]()
Read moreA casket is seen floating in flood waters in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016. Torrential rains over the weekend dumped nearly two feet of water on the area. #
Jonathan Bachman / Reuters -
-
![]()
Read moreIn this aerial photo over Hammond, Louisiana, flooded homes are seen off of LA-1064 after heavy rains inundated the region on August 13, 2016. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreA dog wanders through a flooded neighborhood in Gonzales, Louisiana, on August 16, 2016. #
Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty -
![]()
Read moreSgt. Brad Stone of the Louisiana Army National Guard gives safety instructions to people loaded on a truck after they were stranded by rising floodwater near Walker, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016. #
Max Becherer / AP -
-
![]()
Read moreIn this Sunday, August 14, 2016 photo, a girl takes her pony for a walk on a dry road near flooded homes in Walker, Louisiana. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreThe floodwaters recede from Bethel United Methodist Cemetery in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016. #
Jeffrey Dubinsky / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreA casket floats in front of a partially submerged church in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016. #
Jonathan Bachman / Reuters -
-
![]()
Read moreIn this aerial photo over Amite, Louisiana, flooded vehicles are seen after heavy rains inundatied the region on August 13, 2016. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreResidents line up on Providence Boulevard in Hammond, Louisiana, where floodwaters inundated their homes on August 13, 2016. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreA car is seen partially submerged in floodwaters on August 15, 2016 in Denham Springs, Louisiana. #
Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty -
-
![]()
Read morePrefabricated homes sit in floodwaters at Southern Heritage Homes on August 15, 2016 in Denham Springs, Louisiana. #
Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty -
![]()
Read moreFamilies displaced by flooding are unloaded on dry ground after being rescued from the Hebron Baptist Church by the Louisiana Army National Guard in Walker, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016. About 200 people were taken to the church by the fire department on Friday and Saturday then became stranded as flood waters continued to rise. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreA Louisiana Army National Guard dump truck, loaded with rescued flood victims, makes it way back to dry land in Walker, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016. #
Max Becherer / AP -
-
![]()
Read moreA boat motors between flooded homes after heavy rains inundating the region in Hammond, Louisiana, on August 13, 2016. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreRichard Rossi and his 4 year old great grandson Justice wade through water in search of higher ground after their home took in water in St. Amant, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016. #
Jonathan Bachman / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreOliver Myers (right) plays with Michelle Enfinger's dog as they spend time together in an evacuation shelter at the Shady Bowery Pentecostal Church after water flooded their home on August 15, 2016, in Walker, Louisiana. #
Joe Raedle / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreDanny and Alys Messenger canoe away from their flooded home after reviewing the damage in Prairieville, Louisiana, on August 16, 2016. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreDavid Key looks at water out of his master bedroom windows in his flooded home in Prairieville, Louisiana, on August 16, 2016. Key, an insurance adjuster, fled his home as the floodwater was rising with his wife and three children and returned today to assess the damage. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreA member of the St. George Fire Department assists residents as they wade through floodwaters from heavy rains in the Chateau Wein Apartments in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on August 12, 2016. #
Gerald Herbert / AP -
-
![]()
Read moreMotorists try to navigate deep water flowing over a road in Walker, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreA Louisiana Army National Guard dump truck that drove off the road is submerged in floodwaters near Walker, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreThe Gold-N-Guns pawn shop is seen in floodwaters in Gonzales, Louisiana, on August 16, 2016. #
Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreA submerged vehicle is seen in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016. #
Jonathan Bachman / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreFloodwaters are seen on Range Road and I-12 in Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, Louisiana, on August 13, 2016. #
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreKris New marks flood-damaged pews outside the Life Tabernacle Church on August 15, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. #
Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreFlood victims are rescued by emergency responders from near Walker, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016. #
Max Becherer / AP -
![]()
Read moreBrittany Addox carries her dog, Maggie, after being rescued in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on August 15, 2016. #
Jonathan Bachman / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreAlan Johns navigates his canoe through flooded streets on August 16, 2016, in Denham Springs, Louisiana. #
Joe Raedle / Getty -
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.